Open Access

Working Memory

Working memory is an ability that allows us to work with information. It helps us learn and perform even basic tasks. Most kids with learning and thinking differences have trouble with this vital function. That’s especially true of kids with executive functioning issues and ADHD.Working memory is one of the brain’s executive functions. It’s the ability to hold on to new information so we can turn around and use it in some way. Working memory allows us to hold information without losing track of what we’re doing.Kids need this ability to perform well in school. Consider this scenario:Your child’s math teacher asks the class to add 21 and 13 in their head, and then subtract 6 from the sum.Working memory enables your child to hold on to and visualize the numbers the teacher has called out. It also allows her to remember what the sum of 21 and 13 is, so she can then take away 6.Your child might not remember any of these numbers by the next class or even 10 minutes later. And that’s OK. Working memory has done its short-term job and allowed her to tackle the task at hand.Poor working memory makes it hard for kids to use the information they get in school. In math class, your child might remember the numbers the teacher said to add: 21 and 13. But she might not recall what she’s supposed to do with them. Or she might not hold on to that sum of 34 so she can subtract 6 from it.